time- consuming quorum calls and votes on meaningless issues (such as choosing the National Dance), a new breed of Congressman intent on posturing for the media, and by a fragmented subcommittee system. The congressional reforms of the 1970s are partly to blame. Now that committee chairmanships are not awarded by seniority, there is less incentive to stay in office.
Older retirees (over age 60) were more likely to cite the diminished advantages of seniority or the desire to try something new "before...